The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-07-28
Mr.. Grain Sustains His statemel

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, July 21, 1857.
To the Editor Of the States an.
In your account of Mr.. Farwell's speech
you state that she, however, went for the
work, One Hundred Years of Temper
ance,' as being unauthoritative and unre-
liable"
Upon the assumption that Mr.. Farwell
was correctly reported, propose to state
something about the work and leave to
your readers the decision as to its charac-
ter.
The frontispiece is portrait of Ben
jamin Rush, M. D., LII. D., the originator
of the temperance agitation in this coun-
try.
Upon its title page appears the follow
ing: "One Hundred Years of Temper
auce; memorial volume of the Cent ten
NAL temperance conference, held in Phila-
delphia, Pa, September, 1885.
New York, National Temperance Society
and Publication House, SO Reade street,
1856"
On the following pages appears the
statement, "Copyright, 1885, by The
National Temperance Society and Publ
cation House."
Among the contents are:
introduction: By Rev. Theo. L. Guy
Ter.
Address, by Gen. Clinton B. Fisk.
Address, by II. X. Carroll, LII. D.
Address, by Miss F. E. Willard.
Address, by Hon. John z. st. John.
Address, by John B. Finch.
Address, by Hon. III. W. Blair.
Letter from John B. Cough, and a
Al ~
more or less distinguished in the cause of
temperance. These are followed by "His
torical Papers" among which may name
Total Abstinence During the Century,
by II. X. Carroll, LII. D.; "The Maine
Law and Its Results" by Hon. Neal Dow;
Temperance in Public Schools" by Mrs
Mary H. Hunt, etc, etc. These are fol
lowed by full accounts, written by minis
tiers, of the work done by the respective
churches in the cause of temperance dur
ing the past century; by historical
sketches, religious statistics, accounts of
temperance meetings, etc.
The delegates to the conference from
| Illinois, Mr.. Farwelrs state, were Francis
Z. Willard, Anna A. Gordon, John B.
Finch.
1t would seem from the foregoing that
the volume is rather more reliable in its
accounts of the temperance movement
than is Mr.. Farwell in his denunciation OF
it. certainly wouldnot quote an author
ity as authentic which was spurious,
found a copy of the work in the con-
gressional library, at the capitol, and af
forwards purchased one in New York.
Whilst writing desire to say that II
! THE STATEsMiN's account of my speech al
Austin several errors crept in, among
winch may be mentioned the statement
that l invited Mr.. Taylor Moore, or any
of the other small fry orators, to step III
to the desk and examine any of the
books etc. | said that l would be glaC
to have any gentleman on the prohibition
side examine my books, papers, etc.
either az that time or after my speech. IL
HE STATEsNIANs reference to my men
tiCnIng the names of Messrs. Moore, Pen
dexter, Reagan and Others, it so reads a
to convey the impression that l referred
to them as among the persons who wer
alluded to as always anxious to diyid
time, etc; whereas, mentioned no name
at all in that connection.
The reference to Messrs. Moore, Pen
dexter and others was made IN anothe
connection, and was jsstingly made. l salt
that the leaders of prohibition-and b.
leaders l ment the men at the head o
the national movement in the north, ant
not young neophytos like the persons
named-contemplated the submission o
an amendment to the states, etc. max,
this statement in order that no iniustic,
may be done to any person by failure
on my part to call attention to the mis-
takes herein alluded to.
Your obedient servant, W. Il. GRAIN.